Transport costs, mainly due to the considerable increase in diesel and gasoline pump prices, pushed the March 2026 inflation rate in Catanduanes to a new high of 3.0 percent.
This was disclosed by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Catanduaners Statistical Field Office in its press conference on the Catanduanes inflation report last Friday, April 10, 2026.
Chief Statistical Specialist Anavi F. Camacho stated that overall inflation rate of the province was 0.7 points higher than the 2.3 percent recorded in February.
The inflation rate refers to the annual rate of change or the year-on-year change of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with inflation interpreted in terms of declining purchasing power of money.
This means that if one paid P25 for a can of sardines in March 2025 and if the average prices went up by 3.0% after a year’s time, one would need P25.75 to pay for the same type of a can of sardines in March 2026.
The transport sector, driven by huge increases in fuel costs, accounted for 86.3 percent share of the uptrend in inflation, the PSA said.
It actually went from negative inflation in February 2026 (-8.9%) to positive inflation the following month (0.8%).
This was followed by Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels with 9.2 percent, and Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco with 3.6 percent.
On the other hand, the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages sector was the top major contributor to the March 2026 inflation as prices went up by 3.2 percent compared to a year ago, accounting for 46.7 percent share.
The increases were mostly due to higher costs of Fruits and Nuts, Fish and Other Seafood, and Ready-made Foods and Other Food Products.
The other major factors were Restaurants and Accommodation Services with an inflation rate of 9.7 percent and a 21.7 percent share of the month’s inflation rate; and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels with an inflation rate of 1.8 percent (9.7 percent share).
Compared to inflation rates in 2025, markedly higher rates were observed in Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (+1.1 percentage points); Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels (+0.4 percentage point); and Recreation, Sport and Culture (+0.5 percentage point).
Inflation rates were actually lower in 2025 for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages; Restaurants and Accommodation Services; Personal Care and Miscellaneous Goods and Services; Clothing and Footwear; Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance; Information and Communication; and Health.
Inflation remained constant for Education Services (0.4%) and Financial Services (0.0).
Higher inflation compared to the previous month were noted in Fruits and Nuts (15.5% to 22.4%); Flour, Bread, etc. (0.6% to 2.1%); Oils and fats (11.3% to 15.2%); and Ready-made Food and Other Food Products (5.9% to 6.1%).
The report said that lower inflation was observed in Fish and other seafood, Meat and parts of slaughtered land animals, Corn, and Vegetables, tubers, etc.
On the other hand, faster negative inflation was seen in rice (-8.4% to -0.2%) and Sugar, confectionery and desserts (-3.1% to -2.9%).
Catanduanes has the lowest inflation rate in Bicol
For March 2026, the island province posted the lowest inflation rate compared to the rest of Bicol provinces: Camarines Norte and Sorsogon, 4.4%; Albay and Masbate, 4.2%; and Camarines Sur, 4.0%.
For the entire Philippines, the headline inflation was calculated at 4.1 percent for March 2026, up from the 2.8% registered in the previous month.
However, the inflation rate for the Bottom 30% Income Households was 3.4 percent for the month, compared to 2.6% in February.
The same three factors – Transport, Housing, and Food – were the main source of acceleration of the March inflation that resulted in a higher inflation rate for low-income households or those earning below P25,000 a month in 2021 prices.
As a result of the increasing prices of most goods and services, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the province of Catanduanes rose from 138.3 in February to 139.0 in March 2026.
This means that for an average Filipino household to afford the same basket of goods and services purchased at P100.00 in March 2018, they would need an additional P39.00 in March 2026.